'The Dark Knight' is a PG-13-rated film, so ostensibly, with his parents' go-ahead, an 11-year-old boy with preternatural improvisation skills and access to face paint and YouTube can post his very own version of late actor Heath Ledger's iconic Joker. And so one has. Not that some won't find this kind of macabre and creepy.
But give the kid credit -- he went to the mattresses for the role, obtaining everything from the purple blazer to the kelly-green vest. The make-up is just right, and the mimicry of Ledger's diction is dead-on, too.
Excellent use of Hans Zimmer and James Newton-Howard's original movie score, as well.
However, it's hard to tell where the Joker's hard-knock childhood begins and this kid's real-life suburban angst ends. "I need to get out of here," he says at one point. "All they give me is pasta every morning, and it tastes like fish in a really weird way." Ooookay.
So is it appropriate for such a young kid to be mimicking Ledger's Joker less than two years after the actor died tragically? Sure, it probably feels a like it's a little too soon. But it's probably no more inappropriate for a child to, say, take on John Wayne or the Lone Ranger. (Granted, those examples are way old, but you get the point.)
Take a look at the video below and tell us what you think.
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Reader Comments (64)
Saralynne at 10:31PM on Nov 17th 2009
This kid is GREAT! His tone & inflection are dead on.
He is super talented! I think it's quite a compliment to Mr. ledger. Well done!!
Joe at 12:23AM on Nov 18th 2009
Yes, What is inappropriate about this? The actor would have been flattered. The boy's IQ is off the charts. He is a brilliant, sensitive, powerful performer. The actor died. Let's move on.
Spooky at 8:55AM on Nov 19th 2009
I'm sorry but the skin tone is just a little too light for "Obama as Joker". Otherwise he's pretty dag gone good.
Todd at 2:35AM on Nov 18th 2009
I don't see any special talent here at all, just a generic kid posting a bit he did on youtube. And what's up with Joe's comment; "The boy's IQ is off the charts. He is a brilliant, sensitive, powerful performer." Where did that come from? You're standards are seriously low Joe. Maybe Joe is a retard or something.
michael at 2:28AM on Nov 18th 2009
this rendition is off the chat
Cat at 5:27AM on Nov 18th 2009
Sorry...this is news now, is it?
Jesus Castro at 6:20AM on Nov 18th 2009
Ok. First lets begin by saying yea thats why thats an 11 yr. old. Pretty impressive maybe to an audience of 6th graders. I mean seriously, not to throw the child under the bus but hes far beyond getting close to a big screen and comparing him to the late great Heath Ledger, God Bless, is absolutely abonomous. Secondly I must address all who wrote things to the nature of get over the lates death. That is disrespectful, inconsiderate, and shouldn't be allowed to be posted. Glad you wet your extremities over this lil child and all but get a grip bro the kid can barely be compared to the wham boom pow days.
Boo at 3:27PM on Nov 22nd 2009
You lost me at abonomous
Charlie at 8:52AM on Nov 18th 2009
hmmm... ok, so the kid can dress in a halloween costume..But I certaintly don't see or hear any "special" talent. This can be done by most 11 year olds anyway. He couldnt even sit still while he talked, swayed back and forth, which showed lack of control and not totally into the part...
and for the comment -"The boy's IQ is off the charts. He is a brilliant, sensitive, powerful performer" I have to say...HA! It must have been his father/relative that wrote that!
Nichelle at 8:54PM on Nov 18th 2009
I think its pretty clear that the moving around in his chair was part of the act. You have to add depth to a character, and when you are playing a character who is crazy, you add movements that a crazy person would probably do. I doubt that someone who is as psycho as the Joker could sit/stand still.
karen at 9:20AM on Nov 18th 2009
They actually sell joker costumes for kids with the mask, my 2yr old son dressed up as the joker at halloween.
daron j. at 10:09AM on Nov 18th 2009
i give him a 7 out of 10,a majority of actors out now suck major ass,and don't deserve to waste my premium hbo channel time but anyways,best stated earlier u call this news!!hardly groundbreaking nor extrodinary!
Colin at 10:12AM on Nov 18th 2009
Oh this kid is good!
DON at 11:38AM on Nov 18th 2009
WHY IS HE EVEN IN THE NEWS OR EVEN ON THE WEB?
travis at 12:37PM on Nov 18th 2009
damn, yall a bunch of haters, be happy for the kid, are you people jealous your not getting featured for your hard work? suck it up, good intentions get further, this anger is why your still sitting in the same chair rambling online about other people who dont give 2 flying you know what! about ya! peace!
Brenda at 1:28PM on Nov 18th 2009
I think this kid needs something constructive to do, like homework maybe.
The Architect at 12:40AM on Nov 19th 2009
Maybe you do not realize that an 11 year old with this type of talent and confidence.. is probably excelling in school. The fact that you need to say something negative about him shows that even if he didn't do homework and let's assume you did because you are making fun of him about it... shows that you have no manners someone didn't raise you properly. Maybe take a step back think about what you say to other people, think about what you say before you say it and reconsider your comments. Because not doing homework doesn't make you a bad person. This 11 year old is probably top of his class this is amazing acting skills and I applaud him he actually caused me to defend him since this is the first time I ever posted on the web in reply to a comment. So kudos to you lil guy- from an architect.
Brenda at 1:29PM on Nov 18th 2009
Please, go do something constructive, like homework.
Brenda's Master at 10:24AM on Nov 19th 2009
Why don't you get a job and lose some weight already!
Brenda at 1:31PM on Nov 18th 2009
I would think an 11 year old would have something better to spend his time on.